At the October 31, 2023 Regular Council meeting, Council voted to adopt the Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan provided any strategies with financial implications come back to Council.

Vision Zero is a multi-national traffic safety initiative, founded in Sweden in the late 1990s. It’s based on the philosophy that no one should be killed or seriously injured within the road transport system. Ultimately, the main goal of Vision Zero is to achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries on the road. Implementing this strategy is one of the strategic directions from the Kamloops Transportation Master Plan.

This Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan was completed over five phases, starting in fall 2021. The project involved substantial public and community engagement, including virtual sessions, online surveys, and in-person engagement. The final Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan is composed of 27 individual strategies in five emphases areas that aim to improve safety for all road users in Kamloops, guiding everything from road design and traffic speeds, to signalization and sidewalks, while considering operational requirements from all partners, such as emergency vehicle access, snow removal, asphalt integrity, accessibility, school zones, and more.

The Kamloops Vision Zero Strategy and Action Plan presents a practical and action-oriented approach to reduce transportation fatalities and serious injuries. Adopting the plan represents a fundamental shift in the City’s approach to transportation safety, ensuring that Kamloops residents can move safely, regardless of the mode of transportation they use. Staff will develop a funding plan and present to Council in 2024.